KUCHING: ABM Fujiya Bhd (AFujiya) has commenced the production of enhanced flooded battery (EFB) batteries, a key component of an electric vehicle (EV) aside from lithium batteries, at its new manufacturing plant in Demak Laut Industrial Park, here.
This move aligns with shifting market trends and the growing acceptance of EVs while ensuring competitiveness in both local and international markets, the battery manufacturer stated.
EFB technology is an advancement of conventional lead-acid batteries. The polyvlies material on the surface of the positive plate extends the battery’s service life.
These batteries also have low internal resistance and offer twice the number of charging cycles compared to standard starter batteries, along with a higher load capacity.
According to AFujiya, the new plant has completed four production lines, now operational, and is currently procuring its fifth production line.
The batteries produced are supplied to both local and international markets, and the new facility is expected to gradually enhance the group’s overall performance.
The plant is owned and operated by Fuya Energy Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Amalgamated Batteries Manufacturing (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd, which is wholly owned by AFujiya.
China’s battery manufacturer, Jujiang Power Technology Co Ltd, holds a 40 per cent equity stake in Fuya Energy after completing a share subscription deal in December 2024.
“With better economies of scale in production and increased staff expertise in operating the plant’s machinery, the group has started to generate gross profit at the group level, mainly due to a reduction in operational losses at the new plant.
“However, in the second half of 2024, the group faced raw material shortages due to shipment delays and rising finance costs, leading to a cumulative pre-tax loss of RM11.96 million,” AFujiya stated.
Despite this, AFujiya’s pre-tax loss for FY2024 was lower than the RM19.34 million recorded in FY2023. Net loss also declined to RM12.7 million from RM15.2 million, with losses per share reducing to 7.06 sen from 8.42 sen.
Year-on-year, AFujiya reported a sharp rise in revenue, reaching RM180.5 million compared to RM127.5 million in 2023.
In 4Q2024, the company reduced its net loss to RM3.91 million (4Q2023: -RM4.7 million), with revenue growing to RM48.84 million (RM35.1 million).
Meanwhile, industrial gas manufacturer B.I.G. Industries Bhd (BIG) delivered stronger earnings in the second quarter ended December 31, 2025 (FY2Q2025), with group net profit rising to RM468,000 from RM164,000 in the corresponding period last year, in line with revenue growth to RM8.68 million from RM7.3 million.
Earnings per share improved to 0.74 sen from 0.26 sen.
During the quarter, the gas segment generated RM7.62 million in revenue (FY2Q2024: RM6.22 million), while the property segment contributed RM1.07 million (RM1.08 million). The gas segment’s pre-tax profit surged to RM965,000 (RM172,000), whereas the property segment’s pre-tax profit declined to RM186,000 (RM225,000).
“In the current quarter, the gas division recorded RM7.62 million in revenue, a 22.43 per cent increase from RM6.22 million in the same period last year. Liquefied gas was the main contributor, rising by RM1.249 million. Cylinder gas revenue increased by RM0.284 million while other gases saw a slight decline of RM0.138 million.
“The gas division’s pre-tax profit rose sharply to RM0.965 million, a 461.05 per cent increase from RM0.172 million in the previous year, primarily due to higher liquefied gas sales,” BIG stated in its financial report.
However, the property segment’s revenue dropped by 1.75 per cent to RM1.07 million, leading to a 17.33 per cent decline in pre-tax profit to RM0.186 million.
Additionally, the concrete segment, which ceased operations, incurred a pre-tax loss of RM1.994 million due to employee retrenchment benefits.
In the preceding quarter (FY1Q2025), BIG had performed better, recording a pre-tax profit of RM3.28 million (FY2Q2025: RM814,000) on significantly higher revenue of RM13.76 million (RM8.68 million).
For the six-month period in the current financial year, BIG posted a stronger net profit of RM3.3 million compared to RM674,000 a year ago, with revenue rising to RM22.44 million from RM14.96 million. Earnings per share improved to 5.2 sen from 1.06 sen.
Looking ahead, BIG commented: “The group foresees continued volatility and uncertainty in the global business environment, which may drive up material costs and inflation risks. Since the group’s operations are based in Malaysia, fluctuating material prices could impact our cost structures.
“While the group’s performance in the first half of the year was primarily driven by liquefied gas sales, we remain mindful of the highly competitive nature of the gas and property industries. We will continue to focus on operational efficiencies to stay agile in response to market dynamics and geopolitical developments.”
